"This has also resulted in better nutrition for children [and] women; this has translated into better sanitation - all these have direct or indirect impact on the survival of children," he told BBC Africa.

He said the government has also been "aggressively expanding its primary healthcare network".

"We have now 93% coverage of one health centre for 25,000 people, which basically means one health facility within a 7km (four mile) radius," he said.